No electricity disconnection until Christmas

MANILA, Philippines —  The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has extended the suspension of electricity disconnections on households across the country until Christmas, according to an electric utility official in Zamboanga. 

However, the latest directive covers only residential consumers whose monthly electricity consumption does not exceed 200 kilowatt-hours, said Rommel Agan, chief management officer of Zamboanga City Electric
Cooperative (ZAMCELCO). 

Agan said the allowance marks a change to ERC’s earlier directive that temporarily banned electric cooperatives and distribution utilities from disconnecting consumers over unpaid electricity bills from May to October this year. 

Under the latest ERC advisory, only residential accounts consuming 200 kWh or less per month will remain covered by the disconnection suspension for November and December. 

Agan said consumers exceeding the 200-kWh threshold may face disconnection, subject to applicable rules and payment arrangements.

He said consumers with unpaid bills covered by the earlier suspension must also take note of the extended payment deadlines set by the ERC. 

Accounts with unpaid bills for May to July 2026 have until Nov. 26 to settle their obligations. Failure to pay by the deadline may result in disconnection beginning Nov. 27.

On the other hand, consumers with outstanding bills for August to October 2026 have until Dec. 26 to pay. Those who fail to settle their accounts may face disconnection beginning Dec. 27. 

Agan also explained that the earlier ERC directives provided installment payment arrangements for eligible consumers. Residential consumers using no more than 200 kWh were allowed to pay their covered bills in installments, while consumers exceeding that threshold could be granted payment arrangements spread over three monthly installments. 

The consumers are urged to check their outstanding balances and settle their accounts within the prescribed deadlines to avoid service interruption. 

The latest directive underscores the importance of distinguishing between the temporary suspension of disconnections for November and December and the separate payment deadlines for bills accumulated during the earlier suspension period.